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Farfus biggest winner at Valencia

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In the penultimate round of the 2006 World Touring Car Championship Augusto Farfus emerged as the biggest winner, taking the championship lead. With two races left to go in Macau, the top 9 drivers are within 12 points of eachother.

Race 1: Augusto Farfus benefites from problems top three

The first race of the day looked to be a copy of the race at Istanbul. None of the big championship contenders managed to score any points. This helped Augusto Farfus to take his third win of the season and climbing up to the front runners in the championship standings.

Luca Rangoni, a Proteam Motorsport independent driver, crossed the line second after jumping from 9th to 4th in the first lap. The final podium position was claimed by Nicola Larini of Chevrolet. It was the second consecutive podium for the Italian.

At the start Priaulx and Huff were left at the side of the track after Priaulx tried to close the door for Tarquini. Priaulx was spun onto the gras and as he slid backwards onto the track he colided with Huff’s Chevrolet. As a consequence of the accident the safety car was deployed for two laps.

At the start Farfus tried to keep Gené at bay but the Spaniard went through at turn one. Disappointment was to follow on lap 4 however because the SEAT driver was imposed a drive through penalty for a jump start.

Gabriele Tarquini failed to finish as well, after coliding with Tom Coronel. Tarquini was pushed from behind, sliding him into Rickard Rydell. Tarquini bounced back and was sent flying into the pit wall. Teammate Rydell didn’t finish the race either, having to park his car on the penultimate lap in the pits with a broken front suspension caused by the contact with Tarquini.

Results remain suspended as investigations are ongoing on the incidents between: Andy Priaulx and Gabriele Tarquini, Jörg Müller and Peter Terting, Gabriele Tarquini and Tom Coronel.